Tommy George
Tommy George Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1928-09-20 |
| Died | 2016-07-29 Cooktown Hospital, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Aboriginal elder, stockman, ranger |
| Known for | Last fluent speaker of the Awu Laya dialect; co-founder of Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation; cultural custodian and advocate for Quinkan rock art |
| Notable work | Our country, our art, our Quinkans; Quinkan rock art - Images on rock from the Laura area |
Tommy George Sr. (circa 20 September 1928 – 29 July 2016) was a senior figure of the Kuku Thaypan people from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia, recognized as the final fluent speaker of the Awu Laya dialect (Kuku Thaypan language).
Biography
Originating near Rinyirru National Park, Tommy and his older brother, George Musgrave, were concealed inside mailbags by station owner Fredrick Sheppard to prevent their forced removal during the Stolen Generation era. This act enabled them to remain within their community, where they absorbed traditional laws, language, land stewardship practices, and survival techniques. They successfully maintained uninterrupted custodianship of their ancestral territories, holding stewardship at Gno-Coom (Saxby Waterhole).
Together, they established the Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation based in Laura, Queensland, launched the biennial Laura Festival of Traditional Dance and Culture, initiated the Traditional Knowledge Recording Project (Mulong, in partnership with Victor Steffensen), and actively participated in the Cape York Land Council. They advocated for the protection of the globally important Quinkan rock art near Laura by fulfilling custodial responsibilities and sharing cultural insights with scholars and visitors alike. Their expertise extended internationally through joint efforts with Sámi communities in Northern Finland focused on documenting traditional knowledge.
Tommy devoted many years working as a stockman on cattle stations across Cape York, frequently without remuneration. He married Laura Gordon (née Banjo), and together they raised six children. Subsequently, he served as a ranger committed to safeguarding rock art in Laura—his wife’s homeland—while recording narratives and customs linked to both her country and his own Kuku Thaypan lands.
In recognition of his ecological knowledge alongside his brother George Musgrave, James Cook University conferred upon him an honorary Doctorate of Letters in 2005.
Tommy George Sr. died at Cooktown Hospital on 29 July 2016.
Publications
- George, T., & G. Musgrave (1995). Our country, our art, our Quinkans. Laura, Queensland: Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation.
- George, T., & M. Tresize (1995). Quinkan rock art - Images on rock from the Laura area. Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation.
Films
- Tommy George is featured in the documentary The Last Trackers of the Outback, which also includes his brother George Musgrave.
- He appears in the short film titled "The Sugar Bag Project".
External links
- Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation based in Laura
- Traditional Knowledge Recording Project
- Cape York Land Council
- Last Trackers of the Outback film on YouTube
- JCU honours Cape York elders
- Australian Aboriginals: Tracking master leaves a trail for others
- Interpretation and Personalisation: Enriching Individual Experience by Annotating On-line Materials
- Indigenous Australian Leader Tommy George Passes On
- "Tommy George" video